Luck in the Shadows

Presently the kitchen door swung open and Stamie came out with a bucket yoke across her narrow shoulders. Eyes to the ground, she disappeared around the corner of the main building.
    "Look there!" whispered Seregil, spying a small postern gate near the kitchen. From it, a well-trodden path wound off into the forest; it would be as simple as lying by a deer track, waiting for their prey to
    come by.
    "Look at what?" asked Alec.
    "There, that small door in the wall, near the cliffs. Lean this way and fix your eye on the ruined tower,
    then bring your gaze down past—"
    Seregil broke off, startled by a sudden realization.
    Gripping Alec by the arm, he whispered excitedly, "The tower! What's wrong with that tower?"
    "Lightning, probably," Alec whispered back.
    "Looks like it happened years ago and—"
    He stopped, slowly mirroring his companion's sharp, hungry grin.
    "And what?" prompted Seregil.
    "And they never repaired it."
    "Which is pretty damned strange because—"
    "Because they employ some of the best masons in Skala," finished Alec. "I knew we'd missed something before, but I just couldn't see it!"
    Seregil gazed at the tower with a wry grin. "There it is, right in front of us. Whatever we're here to find, I bet my best horse it's around there somewhere. All we have to do is get inside."
    "Which we can't do until Stamie comes out. Maybe we should've waited for Nysander after all."
    "Patience, Alec. A good hunter like you knows how to lie in wait for his quarry!"
    "You're feeling guilty over not going with them, aren't you?" Kari demanded, lying close to Micum in the darkness of their bedchamber. She knew the signs; in the two days since Seregil's departure, Micum had grown increasingly restless and absent minded. Today he'd wandered from one small task to another without accomplishing anything.
    "Perhaps you should have gone."
    "Oh, they'll be all right." Micum shifted to hold her closer. "It's just strange that Nysander hasn't sent word."
    "Then send a message down to him. One of the lads could have it there before noon."
    "I suppose."
    "I don't know why you're so worried. It's not as if Seregil hasn't done this sort of thing before. And two days is no time at all."
    Micum frowned up at the candle shadows overhead.
    "All the same, Alec's so new at these things—"
    "Then send word to Nysander. I don't need you moping around like an old dog again tomorrow." Kari kissed him roughly on the chin. "Better yet, go yourself. You'll fidget me to distraction waiting about for it. You can visit Beka while you're there."
    "That's a thought. She must be missing home a bit by now. But will you be all right without me?"
    "Of course I will!" scoffed Kari. "You'll only be a few hours away, and I've all my women to look after me. Go to sleep, love. I expect you'll want to get an early start."
    Feeling a bit guilty, Micum bypassed the Horse Guard barracks and went straight to the Orлska House. Crossing the atrium, he heard a familiar voice hailing him and turned to find Nysander and Thero striding toward him. Both were clad in stained riding clothes and boots.
    "Why, good morning to you!" Nysander called. "What brings you into the city so early in the day?"
    Micum's heart sank. "Didn't Seregil and Alec tell you?"
    "We've been away," Thero told him. "We're just getting back now."
    "Indeed," said Nysander, frowning. "I have not heard from either of them since they left for Cirna."
    "That little bastard!" growled Micum. "He promised me he'd talk to you before they went. I'd never have let them go off like that if I'd known."
    "What has happened?"
    "He and Alec came back a couple of days ago with evidence linking Kassatie to the stolen gold. They'd been attacked on their way back from Cirna and they're convinced that was her doing, too. Seregil was all in a lather to go after her but he said he'd talk to you first."
    "Perhaps he left word. Thero, go find Wethis, please. He would be the one Seregil would trust with a message. Come up to my tower, Micum.
    "I am not certain I understand your concern," the wizard continued as they climbed the stairs. "Two days is not long for such work and I am certain I should have sensed if either of them had come to any great harm."
    "Maybe so," Micum grudgingly agreed. "I guess I'm mostly feeling guilty about not going along with them, but Kari's pregnant again and I hated to leave her."
    Thero hurried in with a rolled parchment. "They were here, and they left this for you."
    Nysander unrolled the